The new routes will likely spur more tourists to the region. And with Eilat’s warm, virtually rain-free climate, the flights will be just in time for winter sun-seekers.

While Israelis have long traveled south to Eilat for domestic getaways, the Red Sea region is a hidden gem for Americans making the rounds in Europe. Not only are the new Ryanair routes bringing attention to Eilat, but Trip Advisor also named the southern city as a "Destination on the Rise" in 2015 for their Travelers’ Choice Awards. For anyone traveling through the Mediterranean this winter, we’ve put together a little guide to show you what you can expect from Eilat.

Winter sun

A view of the beach from a room at the Herods Hotel in Eilat. (Photo: Jonathan Cohen)

Eilat is blessed weather-wise: rain is rare, sunshine is near constant and wind is minimal. Even in winter, most days are warm and sunny. Though Eilat is primarily a beach destination with many large full-service beachside hotels such as Herods Palace and Dan Eilat catering to those who want to while away a week on the sand, it also puts visitors within reach of several fascinating nature sites. A national park and an underwater nature reserve are all accessible from here.

Scuba diving

A visitor goes for a dive in the Red Sea, a diverse ecosystem. (Photo: Elisei Shafer/Shutterstock)

The Red Sea, just below the city of Eilat, is home to Israel’s only coral reef. Supremely calm conditions make this a prime spot for snorkeling and scuba diving. Beneath the surface is a psychedelic garden of coral thronged with fish, underwater anemones and other creatures that run a spectrum of colors, bearing unusual sheens, patterns and textures. Dive companies like Aqua Sport will bring first-time divers out for an introductory session in the company of an instructor, allowing even novices to get below the surface. Certified divers can take their pick from a range of options: embark on daily shore dives to nearby reefs, wrecks and walls, or take a boat trip to nearby ports. If the thought of descending that far makes you nervous, try snorkeling instead. Trip Advisor reviewers who snorkeled in the region praise the corals as “amazing” and note how tropical fish can be seen even in the shallows.

Hiking

The "mushroom rock" is a hoodoo that's been formed over millions of years. (Photo: Sergei25/Shutterstock)

The hiking routes around Eilat are well worth exploring. “If you want to really experience and understand Israel, you should take to the trails,” recommends Shmuel Browns, a licensed Israel tour guide. “Depending on your direction, Eilat is the start or end of the Israel National Trail, a 620-mile trail that runs the length and breadth of Israel. Walking for a number of hours through a narrow canyon, climbing a ridge or mountain for a 360-degree view of your surroundings and watching the changing forms of the sandstone cliffs as you hike by is a different experience than driving up to a site by car.” If several days is too much time to devote, try a day trip to Timna Park instead. Its vast open landscape – an otherworldly vision of strange rock formations – sticks in visitor’s heads. Look for “the mushroom,” a huge boulder standing atop a column – resembling the vegetable from which it takes its name.